Dishwasher positioning and drain structure



Nov. 19, 1963 D. A. JAMES 3,111,132

' DISHWASHER POSITIONING AND DRAIN STRUCTURE Filed March 12, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR. DUANE 4. JAMES ATTORNEYS Nov. 19, 1963 D. A. JAMES DISHWASHER POSITIONING AND DRAIN STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 12, 1962 8 mm z WJ Mm 4. n E N W United States Patent Ofifice 3,111,132 Patented Nov. 19, 163

3,111,132 DiSHWASHER PGSETEQNING AND DRAILJ STRUCTURE Duane A. James, Richardson, Tex, assignor, by mesne assignments, to L. T. Industries, Inc, Dallas, Tex, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 179,076 Claims. (Cl. 134-1156) This invention relates to apparatus for washing articles, and more particularly to apparatus such as dishwashing machines and the like and structure for retaining such machines in selected positions and for draining of liquid therefrom.

It is common practice in washing apparatus, for example, dishwashing machines, to have drain members thereon in fixed orientation, and various fastener members to secure the machine housing in a desired location. In such structures, the housing is positioned, secured in place and then, with the drain fitting in fixed deorientation, plumbing connections are made for discharge of the liquid into a sewer or like disposal system. The plumbing connections in such instances are difficult and timeconsuming, particularly when the housing is in close quarters. Some washing machines have overflow connections to the drain to provide maximum liquid level in the Washing compartment, but when detergent suds are on the liquid surface the suds tend to give a false indication as to the liquid level and, also, tend to flow out the drain before full washing action has been provided by the suds.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a structure which overcomes the above difliculties; to provide a drain fitting and connection thereof to the washing compartment that permits selective orientation of the drain connections; to provide a drain fitting and connection with the washing compartment wherein the position of the drain fitting determines the location of the washing machine; to provide such a structure wherein the drain fitting is secured in a selected position on a mounting or support, the plumbing connections completed and then the machine is centered thereon and secured in place by connecting same to the drain fitting; to provide such a structure wherein the drain is connected with a disposal system and provides an air gap for the liquid flow thereto; to provide a washing machine having a continuous liquid input during the washing cycle and a drain structure with a small drain aperture at the bottom of the washing compartment to provide a rate of draining less than the input flow and a large drain aperture at a maximum liquid level with a baffie for retaining suds in the washing compartment while liquid flows therefrom through the large drain aperture; and to provide improvements in Washing apparatus for simplified installation and reduced cost of manufacture and operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial transverse sectional view through a dishwashing machine having a drain and positioning structure embodying the features of the present invention.

FIGv 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the drain fitting structure.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a dishwashing machine with parts broken away to illustrate the drain fitting and mounting.

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view through the washing machine and drain illustrating the air gap with the disposal connection.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view through the dishwashing machine with a modified arrangement of the disposal or waste pipe connection.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a portion of a dishwashing machine having a washing compartment 2 defined by connected walls 3 and a door structure 4 which normally closes an access opening 5 to the washing compartment. The Washing machine 1 is generally of the structure illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 85,558, filed January 30, 1961, now Patent No. 3,072,128, wherein a valve controlled flow of washing liquid is delivered to the washing compartment and an impeller structure 6 arranged in the washing compartment directs the washing liquid from a sump 7 upwardly to impinge on articles 3 carried by suitable racks 9 with the introduction of the washing liquid into the washing compartment and the actuation of the impeller being for a predetermined period of washing cycle.

In the structure illustrated, the walls 3 include a bottom which has a portion 10 extending downwardly land forwardly from a rear wall to a line 11 and then has a portion 12 which slopes forwardly and upwardly terminating in a front wall portion 13 which defines the lower edge of the access opening 5. The bottom wall portion 12 has a depressed centrally located portion 14 arranged whereby liquid will drain therein from the washing compartment with the lowermost part of said depressed portion 14 having an aperture 15 for receiving a drain fitting 16, as later described.

The washing machine has the walls defining the washing compartment arranged in a housing structure 17 that includes depending front walls 18 and end walls 19, 20 and 21 terminating in lower members or flanges 22 adapted to rest on a suitable plane surface 23 of a counter or other support structure 24, whereby said housing rests on said surface 23, said housing and the washing compartment therein being held in position by the drain fitting 16 which is suitably fixed in position relative to the support structure. The drain fitting preferably has a body member 25 which has a bottom surface 26 adapted to rest on the support surface 23, said body having a lateral branch 27 provided with an opening 28 communicating with an interior cavity 29 in said body. The body also has an upwardly extending portion 31) having an aperture 31 communicating with the interior cavity and preferably in axial alignment with an aperture 32 in the bottom of said body. The drain includes a tubular connector member 33 positioned in the washing compartment and having a portion 34 adapted to be secured to the upper portion 3% of the body in registry with the opening 15 for flow of liquid from the washing compartment into the cavity 29 of the body. In the structure illustrated, the apertures 28, 31 and 32 are provided with screw threads 35, 36 and 37 respectively, and the portion 34 of the connector 33 is a threaded end that extends through the opening 15 and is screwed into the opening 31.

The connector 33 has a collar portion 38 having a shoulder portion 39 adapted to engage the upper surface 40 of the depressed portion 14 of the bottom adjacent the opening 15 and a gasket 41 is interposed between the botom surface 42 of said depressed portion and an upper surface 43 of the upwardly extending portion 39 of the body to form a liquid-tight seal between the drain fitting and the bottom of the washing compartment. The connector 33 is tubular and has a portion 4d extending upwardly from the collar and terminating as at 4 5 at the maximum liquid level 4-6 in the washing compartment and defining an entry through a large aperture or bore 4-7 of the connector for flow therethrough to the cavity in the body 25. A small drain aperture 48 is arranged in proximity of the surface 44 of the depressed portion of the bottom wall and, in the illustrated structure, extends through the collar 38 and communicates the interior of the washing compartment with the bore 47 through the connector member for substantially draining all of the washing liquid from the washing compartment when inlet flow is terminated. The small drain aperture 48 is of such size that flow therethrough is less than the rate of the inlet flow into the washing compartment whereby, in normal operation, the major portion of the inlet flow of washing liquid will flow through the overflow at the upper end of the connector member.

A baflle member 49 is arranged on the tubular portion 44 and spaced in surrounding relation thereto. In the illustrated structure, the baflle member 49 is a cylindrical tubular member supported on radially extending arms 50 on the upper end of the tubular portion '44 with the lower edge 51 of the baffle at a level below the upper end 45 of the tubular member and the upper edge 52 spaced above said upper end of the tubular member, as illustrated in FIG. 1, whereby liquid flowing from the Washing compartment through the large aperture must pass under the baflle and through the space between the baffle and the tubular member 44 upwardly and over the upper end 45 of said tubular member to flow through the drain. The height of the battle is such that studs or the like on the surface of the washing liquid will be restrained and prevented from flow through the drain.

The body member 25 has suitable structure for fixing the drain relative to the supporting member. In the illustrated structure, cars 53 extend laterally outwardly from the lower portion of the body and have openings or notches 54 for receiving suitable fastening devices 55 such as bolts or the like for securing the body member to the support member 24. In the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, the drain flow is arranged to pass through a pipe 56 that extends through an opening 57 in the support, the upper end of said pipe being threadedly connected to the threaded aperture 32 in the bottom of the drain fitting 25. The pipe 56 may be suitably connected to a waste disposal, as for example a sewer, and it is preferable that the connection provide an air gap. In the structure illustrated, the pipe 56 has a lower end 58 extending into an upper end 59 of a waste connection which includes a gooseneck or other suitable trap 60, there preferably being space between the pipe 56 and the waste connection 59 as illustrated in FIG. 4 for free passage of air therebetween. With such an arrangement, it is preferred that air enter into the drain connection and that the pipe 56 be substantially langer in flow capacity and opening than the bore 47 in the tubular member or connector 36 whereby the axial alignment will assure that all of the liquid from the washing compartment will flow directly into the pipe 56 and air can enter through the opening 28 in the lateral branch of the drain fitting. In the illustrated structure, a bushing 61 is arranged in the opening 28 with a through bore 62 providing communication of atmosphere into the drain cavity for entry of air, the bushing tending to retard any droplets from being deflected outwardly of said lateral opening.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive only in the connection of the waste pipe and, in that form, the lower opening 32 is closed by a threaded plug 63 and a waste pipe 64 is connected to the threaded opening 28 whereby the waste flow entering the drain cavity 29 from the washing compartment will flow through the waste pipe 64 to a point of disposal or connection with a sewer or the like.

In installing a washing machine with a drain fitting constructed as described, the desired position of the washing machine is determined and thereby the vertical axis through the aperture 15 in the depressed portion of the bottom locates the vertical axis of the drain body memher on the support 24. Then, with the connector member 33 and body member 25 separated, the body member 25 is positioned on the support in the selected location and the lateral branch 27 turned in any direction desired. With the drain to provide for a pipe 56 extending through the support, a hole is bored therein axially of the body, the fastening devices 55 arranged to secure the drain body to the support, and the pipe 56 is connected to the body and connected to the waste disposal. Then, the washing machine is moved to its desired position wherein the aperture 15 registers with the threaded aperture 31 in the body with the gasket 41 between the bottom and the body, and then the adapter is arranged with the portion 34 extending through the aperture 15 and is connected to the body to secure the washing machine in the selected position. The liquid supply and suitable electrical connections are made and the washer is then ready for operation.

In operation, the washing liquid is delivered to the washing compartment 2, the impeller actuated to distribute the water in impelling an impinging relationship to articles to be washed. Some of the liquid will flow through the drain aperture 48, but since that is of a lower rate of flow than the input of liquid, the level of the liquid in the washing compartment will increase to the maximum which is a level with the upper edge 45 of the tubular member of the connector 33. Any suds from detergents on the level of liquid in the washing compartment will be held back from the drain by the bafile 49, so substantially only liquid is discharged through the drain during the washing cycle. After the washing cycle is completed and the infiow of liquid is terminated and the liquid in the washing compartment will drain fully through the aperture 48, all of the liquid flowing through the drain will be directed through the pipe 56 into the Waste pipe 59 with an air gap to facilitate the flow and, also, in periods of non-use any back-flow from the waste dis posal will pass through the air gap and not enter the washing machine Washing compartment.

In the form of connection illustrated in FIG. 5, during the installation, the drain body is located and secured in place with the bottom opening 32 closed by the plug 53 and with the lateral branch 27 extending in a suitable direction for the waste pipe 64 to connect with a waste disposal. This waste disposal connection is made before the Washing machine is positioned over the drain fitting, thereby providing ample room and access for all of the installation work and, after it is completed, the only further operation necessary for placing the machine housing or cabinet in position is to arrange same over the drain and make the connection by the connector 33 which retains the washing machine in the selected position.

It is believed obvious that this coupling arrangement for the washing machine provides a simple, easy installation, yet a positive location and anchorage of the machine in the selected position and, also, provides an efiicient drain for liquid in the washing compartment.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A washing machine mounting in combination,

(a) a support having an upper surface,

(b) a washing machine having a bottom and depending members with lower ends adapted to movably rest on said supporting surface whereby the bottom is in vertically spaced relation to said supporting surface, said bottom having an opening therein,

(0) a drain and machine locating fitting having a body having a threaded opening at the upper portion.

thereof adapted to register with the opening in the bottom,

((1) means securing said fitting to said support in selected position,

(e) and means engaging said bottom and having a threaded extension extending through and rotatable in the opening therein and screwed into said threaded opening of said fitting forming a pivotal connection when loose permitting selective positioning of the machine about the axis of said threaded extension and securing said bottom to said fitting when tightened in sealed relation thereto.

2. A washing machine mounting as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) the means engaging the bottom is tubular providing flow communication between the washing machine and fitting,

(b) and flow means communicating said fitting with a waste disposal system.

3. A washing machine mounting as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) the means engaging the bottom is tubular with an upstanding portion above the bottom terminating in a maximum liquid level opening,

(b) means communicating said fitting with a waste disposal,

(c) and a baflle surrounding said upstanding tubular portion with a wall supported therefrom in spaced relation and extending above and below the maximum water level to restrict floating suds from entering the tubular member.

4. In a washing machine having a washing compartment with a controlled liquid inlet and having a bottom on which a quantity of liquid is adapted to collect and an impeller structure operable to direct liquid from adjacent said bottom against articles to be washed,

(a) a support on which said washing machine is adapted to rest with the bottom of the washing compartment spaced therefrom,

(b) a drain and machine locating fitting having a body with an inlet opening and an outlet opening spaced below the inlet opening,

(0) means securing said fitting body in selected position on the support,

(d) flow means communicating said outlet opening with a waste disposal system,

(2) said bottom having an opening registering with the inlet opening of the drain body,

(1) a connector member having a portion engaging the bottom in the washing compartment and an extension through said bottom opening connected to the body to secure said bottom relative to said drain body and the support in a selected relative position of the machine about said drain fitting, said connector member having a flow passage therein communicating said washing compartment with the drain body inlet,

(g) said connector member and extension being rotatable in the bottom opening to define a pivot for the washing machine when said connector member is loose whereby the machine may be positioned on the support in selected position about the axis of the connector member,

(h) and means between the body and bottom forming a liquid-tight connection.

5. In a washing machine having a washing compartment with a controlled liquid inlet and having a bottom on which a quantity of liquid is adapted to collect and an impeller structure operable to direct liquid from adjacent said bottom against articles to be Washed,

(a) a support on which said Washing machine is adapted to rest with the bottom of the washing compartment spaced therefrom,

(b) a drain fitting having a body with an inlet opening and an outlet opening spaced below the inlet opening,

(0) means securing said fitting body in selected position on the support,

(0.) flow means communicating said outlet opening with a Waste disposal system,

(e) said bottom having an opening registering with the inlet opening of the drain body,

(f) a connector member having a portion engaging the bottom in the washing compartment and an extension through said bottom opening connected to the body to secure said bottom relativeto said drain body and the support, said connector member having a flow passage therein communicating said washing compartment with the drain body inlet, said connector member and extension being rotatable in the bottom opening to define a pivot for the washing machine when said connector member is loose whereby said washing machine may be positioned on the support in selected position about the axis of the connector member,

(g) means between the body and bottom forming a liquid-tight connection,

(It) said connector member having an upstanding portion with a large fiow passage therethrough axially of the connector member and an upper end defining the maximum liquid level in the washing compartment,

*(i) and bafiie means mounted on said connector memer in spaced surrounding relation to the upper portion thereof and extending from below the liquid level upwardly therefrom to define an open bottom flow passage between the baffie and connector member and to form a barrier to restrain suds and the like from entering the flow passage in the connector member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,054,990 Schwoerer Mar. 4, 1913 1,277,165 Winters Aug. 27, 1918 1,511,825 Burns Oct. 14, 1924 1,755,101 Clark et al. Apr. 15, 1930 1,884,180 Pauly Oct. 25, 1932 1,955,299 Kohler Apr. 17, 1934 2,106,619 Merrill Jan. 25, 1938 2,284,026 Stockham May 26, 1942 2,418,366 Powers Apr. 1, 1947 2,562,330 Peterson July 31, 1951 2,654,379 Drees Oct. 6, 1953 2,657,095 James *Oct. 27, 1953 2,882,708 Hancock et al Apr. 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 33,205 France Aug. 20, 1928 

1. A WASHING MACHINE MOUNTING IN COMBINATION, (A) A SUPPORT HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE, (B) A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A BOTTOM AND DEPENDING MEMBERS WITH LOWER ENDS ADAPTED TO MOVABLY REST ON SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE WHEREBY THE BOTTOM IS IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION TO SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID BOTTOM HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, (C) A DRAIN AND MACHINE LOCATING FITTING HAVING A BODY HAVING A THREADED OPENING AT THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH THE OPENING IN THE BOTTOM, (D) MEANS SECURING SAID FITTING TO SAID SUPPORT IN SELECTED POSITION, (E) AND MEANS ENGAGING SAID BOTTOM AND HAVING A THREADED EXTENSION EXTENDING THROUGH AND ROTATABLE IN THE OPENING THEREIN AND SCREWED INTO SAID THREADED OPENING OF SAID FITTING FORMING A PIVOTAL CONNECTION WHEN LOOSE PERMITTING SELECTIVE POSITIONING OF THE MACHINE ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID THREADED EXTENSION AND SECURING SAID BOTTOM TO SAID FITTING WHEN TIGHTENED IN SEALED RELATION THERETO. 